Vulnerability of Children in Assam’s Informal Worker Households: A Study on Under-Five Mortality

Despite global reductions, high Under Five Mortality persists in different regions of India and Assam is no exception. Children of informal workers are often vulnerable because their parents are low-educated, earn limited income, and face precarious conditions due to temporary work and lack of social security. Therefore, this study examines U5 mortality trends and determinants among informal workers in Assam. The study uses both primary data and secondary data. Primary data is collected from a field survey and secondary data from various reports. It examines U5 mortality among Assam’s informal workers using logistic regression methods, considering variables like maternal education, family income, healthcare access, and household conditions. The results showed that from 1990 to 2021, global Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) declined significantly from 93 to 38 deaths per thousand live births. India’s U5MR also dropped notably from 74.44 in 2005 to 32.63 in 2020. Factors contributing to this include lack of maternal education, poor healthcare access, and inadequate living conditions. Underfive mortality in Assam is linked to total household births, mother’s occupation, ventilation, drinking water, toilet facilities, and post-natal visits. Emphasis should be on child care, family planning, support for working mothers, improving environmental and sanitary conditions, and increasing post-natal visits.